Freshman setter Jeff Schmitz has played less than one-half of a game, in the Ball State University's men's volleyball team's first three matches.
That isn't stopping coach Joel Walton from moving Schmitz into the starting line-up.
Schmitz will be the Cardinals starting setter tonight against No. 15 George Mason University.
"I'm excited and nervous, and just want to get in there and play," Schmitz said. "Being the starter is an achievement, but also an opportunity for me to show what I can do."
The Cardinals (1-2 record overall) made this change after they lost home matches to No. 8 Penn State University and St. Francis University Friday and Saturday.
Walton said a big reason for the change was due to the team's offense becoming too predictable.
"Schmtiz is more consistent at setting balls behind him," Walton said. "We're looking for Jeff to distribute the ball and have a more balanced offense."
In Schmitz's lone appearance this season, he had six assists and one assist error during the third game against Clarke College.
Schmitz replaces Ethan Pheister as Ball State's starting setter. In three matches, Pheister averaged 10.2 assists per game, and led the team with 10 serving errors.
Last season, the Cardinals' starting setter, Dave Carlson, had 12.49 assists per game and 71 serving errors.
"Jeff is more consistent at serving, where Ethan was more consistent at blocking," outside attacker Nick Meyer said.
Prior to playing at Ball State, Schmitz helped lead his high school team to three state championships, and was named "Best of Illinois" All-Tournament Team his senior year.
During the preseason, Schmitz and Pheister split time playing as the team's setter.
"This isn't anything that [Schmitz] is not used to," Walton said. "There won't be much of an adjustment because our players have been practicing with Jeff."
Schmitz said one advantage he has going into tonight's game against George Mason was the lay-off since the Cardinals last played, and more chances to practice with the starters.
Ball State has not played a match since Saturday night, when it lost to St. Francis in four games.
"Going through this week, the guys were starting to get more confident in Jeff," Meyer said.
In addition, Walton said the switch at setter could greatly help Meyer.
After having 15 kills in the first match against Clarke, Meyer had 25 kills in the Cardinals last two matches.
"We have worked on speeding up tempo of our sets, and hopefully he can get Nick back on track," Walton said. "I think Ethan was relying pretty heavily on Nick."
Ball State enters this match having lost two straight matches for the first time since March 2006.
Last season, the Cardinals did not lose their first two matches of the season until late February, and lost three home matches the entire season.
"It doesn't sit very well with me, and we should be playing with pride and passion this weekend," Walton said.
Despite the losses, Meyer said he isn't worried about the Cardinals' record and is more worried about the team coming together.
"It's something we have to work through," Meyer said. "Hopefully when [the] tournament comes around in April and May we will have gelled and [will] be ready to win."
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